Where Can I Buy a Turkey Roast? Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Bird for Your Holiday Meal

The holidays are fast approaching, and for many that means it’s time to start thinking about buying a turkey With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to find the best turkey roast for your holiday meal In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to find a delicious, high-quality turkey that will be the star of your holiday table.

Consider Fresh vs Frozen Turkey Roasts

One of the first decisions to make is whether you want a fresh or a frozen turkey roast. Both have their pros and cons.

Fresh turkey roasts are just that – never frozen. The advantage is you are getting a true fresh-from-the-farm turkey flavor. However, fresh turkeys have a very limited shelf life. They need to be cooked within 1-2 days of purchasing, so timing and planning are key.

Frozen turkey roasts have been flash frozen at peak freshness to lock in flavor and texture. While not quite as fresh-tasting as never frozen, high quality frozen turkeys can still deliver excellent taste. Frozen turkeys give you more flexibility on when you need to cook them. You can store them in your freezer for months before thawing. This makes frozen great for buying ahead when turkey roasts go on sale.

Understand Kosher, Natural, Organic and Free-Range Options

Turkey terminology can be confusing with all the different labels like kosher, natural, organic, and free-range. Here’s a quick breakdown of what each means

• Kosher The turkey has been slaughtered according to Jewish dietary customs under rabbinical supervision. Kosher turkeys tend to be on the smaller side, around 10-16 lbs.

• Natural: The turkey was minimally processed and contains no artificial ingredients or preservatives. However, “natural” does not dictate how the bird was raised.

• Organic: The turkey was raised cage-free on an organic diet with no antibiotics, hormones, or animal by-products. Organic regulations also require access to the outdoors.

• Free-Range: The turkeys had access to the outdoors for part of the day. However, the amount of time outdoors may be very limited.

For the highest standards in turkey raising, look for both organic and free-range designations.

Check Sizes for Whole Turkey Roasts vs Breast Roasts

When buying a whole turkey roast, you’ll need to select the right size bird for your gathering. Plan for about 1 pound of turkey per person. An 8-12 lb turkey will feed 8-12 people, a 12-16 lb turkey will serve 12-16, and a 16-20 lb turkey will feed 16-20.

For smaller groups, turkey breast roasts are a great option. They cook faster than a whole bird so are good for quick holiday dinners. A 2 lb breast roast will feed about 4 people.

Keep in mind that heritage breed and organic turkeys tend to be smaller than conventionally raised birds. You may need to go up a size if buying a heritage turkey.

Where to Buy Fresh Turkey Roasts

If you want the true fresh-from-the-farm turkey taste, your best bet is buying direct from a local turkey farm or butcher shop. Search for “fresh turkeys” and your location to find farms near you.

Another option is to check with your local farmer’s market. Many markets allow farmers to take pre-orders for holiday turkeys. Place your order early, as supply is limited.

Expect to pay $3-$6 per pound for a premium fresh turkey, with heritage breeds at the higher end. Make sure to buy only 1-2 days before cooking.

Get High Quality Frozen Turkey Roasts at the Grocery Store

For convenient frozen turkey picks, grocery stores carry a wide selection at more affordable prices. I recommend sticking to national turkey brands like Butterball, Jennie-O, Perdue, and Shady Brook for consistently good quality.

Here are some of the best frozen turkey roasts at grocery stores:

• Butterball Frozen Boneless Turkey Roast: This boneless roast contains both white and dark meat for excellent flavor. It comes with a gravy packet and cooks up juicy and tender. At $2-$3 per pound, it’s a great value.

• Jennie-O Oven Ready Turkey Breast Roast: Jennie-O breast roasts are stuffed with a savory herb seasoning for added flavor. They are boneless and ready to pop right into the oven from frozen. Costs around $3 per pound.

• Perdue Carving Turkey Breast Roast: Perdue roasts are lightly seasoned with a touch of smoky flavor. Their turkeys are minimally processed with no antibiotics or additives. Runs about $3 per pound.

• Shady Brook Farms Whole Turkey: For a full whole turkey experience, Shady Brook Farm turkeys are a tasty choice. Their turkeys are never given hormones or steroids. Prices $1-$1.50 per pound.

Inspect turkeys closely and avoid any with signs of frost or ice crystals, which indicates they’ve been thawed and refrozen. Pass on gimmicky “oven-ready” or “cook-in-bag” turkeys, as they rarely live up to the hype.

Order Online for Specialty and Organic Frozen Turkey Roasts

To get your hands on high-end organic and heritage breed frozen turkey roasts, ordering online is your best opportunity. Brands like Mary’s Organic, Diestel, and Joyce Farms offer heirloom turkey breeds raised on small family farms.

Here are some recommended online mail order turkeys:

• Mary’s Organic Free-Range Turkey: Mary’s turkeys are Certified Organic and American Humane Certified. They are fed an all-vegetarian diet with no GMOs. Their 10-16 lb birds range from $4-$6 per pound.

• Diestel Ranch Range-Grown Organic Turkey: Diestel turkeys are raised cage-free in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Their organic, non-GMO birds cost around $4.50-$6.50 per pound for a 10-14 lb turkey.

• Joyce Farms All Natural Heritage Breed Turkey: Joyce Farms raises heritage breed turkeys on a vegetarian diet with no antibiotics. Their 12-14 lb birds run $130-$150 each.

• Holy Smoke Organic Smoked Turkey Breast: For a pre-smoked flavor, Holy Smoke turkey breasts are smoked low and slow with applewood. Their 3 lb breast roast costs around $60.

Check retailer shipping deadlines to ensure delivery by your roast date. Some may require 1-2 week lead times.

Find the Best Price on Turkey Roasts

To get the lowest price on a turkey roast, watch for special holiday sales running up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. Grocery stores will often heavily discount turkeys the week of the holiday to draw customers. Stock up and freeze extras for later gatherings.

For fresh turkeys, look for pre-order sales at local farms where you can reserve your bird early. Online turkey retailers also tend to offer discounts and promo codes around the holidays.

Another money-saving tip is to buy a whole turkey rather than a pre-sliced roast or boneless breasts. You pay a premium for the convenience of cuts. If you don’t mind doing a little knife work, buy a whole turkey on sale.

Pick the Right Spot for One-Stop Turkey Shopping

To make your turkey roast purchase as seamless as possible, shop where you can grab everything in one spot. Large supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Albertsons will have the biggest selection all under one roof. Warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s are another option for a full holiday shopping trip.

For fresh local turkeys, pair your farm stand visit with a stop at a nearby produce market or wine shop to complete your holiday meal shopping. Some farms also carry their own seasonal fruits, veggies, jams, and baked goods to supplement your turkey.

No matter where you buy, call ahead to confirm availability so you don’t waste a trip. Demand for holiday turkeys can quickly outpace inventory. Do your research, map out a plan, and then get ready to wow your guests with the star turkey roast of the season!